7

                            Part II.—Treatment of diseases.

                             I.—CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.

Mortality—Table II.

4. During the year under report 30,085 deaths from contagious diseases
were reported in the province against 30,801 in
the previous year.

Although the reported deaths are less than last year, I am of the opinion
that a large number of deaths from surra have not been reported. The year
under report owing to the heavy rains was a very unhealthy one.

                                              Equines.

Glanders—Table II.

5. During the year 6 cases of glanders occurred in the selected districts
under this department against 3 in selected and
one in non-selected districts in the preceding
year.

The Pathankot-Dalhousie and Pathankot-Palampur Line again remained
free from glanders.

Anthrax—Table II.

6. Only one case of anthrax was reported by the Army Remount Depart-
ment (from the Gujrat District) which was dealt
with by that department.

Surra-Table II.

7. During the year under report surra was again prevalent in the pro-
vince and 1,362 deaths were reported against 128
in the previous year. It was particularly bad in
Karnal, Ferozepore, Amritsar, Gujranwala, Multan, Lahore and Muzaffargarh
Districts.

The disease is very seldom reported by patwaris and the statistics give
no adequate idea as to its prevalence or the loss caused by it.

The year was very favourable to its propagation, and the extensive
movement of animals partly accounted for its appearance in some places where
it had scarcely been known before. With a view to reducing the mortality I
have advised horse owners to keep their animals in dark stables during the day
when biting flies are active.

Donifue—Table II.

8. Ten cases of dourine were detected during the year. There were 884
suspicious cases of this disease which were kept
under observation in different veterinary hospitals
and with their owners until each case was definitely diagnosed.

During the year every endeavour was made to make a survey of each
district for dourine, but on account of the heavy rains, and other causes owing
to the War, a satisfactory number of equines could not be collected for examina-
tion. Careful examination is made of each mare brought to be covered by a
District Board or Government stallion. All privately-owned stallions are ex-
amined whenever possible. The time has come for the registration of all
privately-owned stallions as this is necessary to control horse breeding.

Other diseases—Table II.

9. Strangles, tetanus and barsati have
been prevalent as usual.

                                                Bovines.

Mortality—Table II.

10. During the year 26,153 deaths occurred from contagious diseases
against 27,795 in the previous year. Hæmorrhagic
Septicæmia was the cause of the largest number
of deaths. Owing to the shortage of staff a large number of vaccinations and
inoculations could not be performed.

Rinderpest—Table II.

11. With the exception of Jullundur, Rinderpest was reported from all
the districts of the province. 8,495 deaths were
reported from this disease against 15,045 in the
previous year. The number of deaths could of course be reduced if outbreaks
were reported earlier.